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Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue among leaders
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Vietnam's Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang (on the red carpet, left), welcomes Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing in Hanoi on July 22. SINGAPORE - Singapore and Vietnam will strengthen their defence relationship and seek more regular dialogue between their leaders, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said on July 22. This is as both countries aim to achieve concrete outcomes from the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) earlier in 2025, Mr Chan said at the conclusion of a visit to Hanoi. During his visit, Mr Chan had called on Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The two leaders reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral relationship between Singapore and Vietnam, and discussed various initiatives under the CSP, said Mindef in a statement. Mr Chan, who is also Coordinating Minister for Public Services, said he and Mr Pham discussed several areas of potential cooperation, such as in renewable energy, data and finance, and leadership development. At the strategic level, more dialogue between leaders of both sides is important, given the turbulent global economic and security situation, he added. 'We talked about setting up more regular dialogues between the public services of both sides, and how we can use such occasions to talk about the emerging challenges that both of us face,' he said. In March 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary To Lam announced that Singapore and Vietnam had elevated bilateral ties to a wide-ranging CSP, with both sides committing to deepen cooperation in areas such as security, sustainability and the digital economy. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Singapore not affected by haze despite smoke plumes in Sumatra: NEA Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving The CSP with Vietnam is Singapore's first with an Asean member state, reflecting both countries' shared commitment to expanding cooperation in areas of mutual benefit and which can create growth opportunities, said Mindef. Singapore's cooperation with Vietnam also supports regional initiatives like the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement and the Asean Power Grid, which will strengthen the economy and resilience of Singapore, Vietnam and Asean, the ministry added. On his trip, Mr Chan also met his counterpart, Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang, and they exchanged views on geopolitical developments. Given that security challenges will increasingly be networked, Mr Chan said he and General Phan discussed ways for the two armed forces to work together to counter such threats. The two defence ministers also agreed to step up military-to-military interactions through high-level visits, bilateral dialogues, cross-attendance of courses, and professional exchanges. 'We will also continue to work together at the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus to uphold an open and inclusive regional security architecture,' said Mr Chan. Mr Chan was joined at the meetings by Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo.
Business Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Times
SPH Media lays off 11 workers with decommissioning of old printing presses
[SINGAPORE] SPH Media will lay off 11 production workers, following the decommissioning of two of the company's 30-year-old printing presses which have reached the end of their operational lifespan. SPH Media chief executive officer Chan Yeng Kit announced the job cuts in an e-mail sent to staff on Tuesday (Jul 22). He said the cuts were the result of operational reviews taking place as the company progresses on its transformation journey, and not driven by major restructuring or cost-cutting. The affected workers, who were notified on Tuesday, include those operating two of the company's six printing presses and involved in distribution of its newspapers. The Colorliner printing presses, made by Manroland Goss Web Systems GmbH and in operation since 1996, are being decommissioned, with printing operations to be consolidated on the media company's four other Commander presses from Koenig & Bauer (KBA). The newer KBA presses, deployed in 2003, can print up to 56 broadsheet pages in colour and up to 72,000 copies of the paper per hour. This is more than what the older Colorliner presses were able to achieve at 40 pages in full colour and up to 72,000 copies per hour. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up An SPH Media spokeswoman, in response to queries from The Straits Times, said upgrades to the KBA machines have allowed the company to consolidate its daily printing operations onto the newer presses. 'These changes allow us to maintain quality printing operations and improve process efficiency. Regrettably, the changes have also resulted in redundancies across 11 job roles in SPH Media's production division,' she said. The spokeswoman added that the company had explored redeployment opportunities, but did not manage to find suitable placements for the affected workers. Chan, in his internal e-mail, said the company's significant investment in refreshing the KBA presses over the past three years will ensure that SPH Media can maintain quality printing operations. 'Print continues to be an important format and channel through which we engage our audiences daily,' he said. He added that even as the company makes these changes, it remains committed to meeting the demand for print formats and will continue to find new and better ways to do so. SPH Media has said in the past that the introduction of the newer printers had substantially improved the capacity of its print centre, located in Jurong. The 11ha facility is one of largest printing plants in the Asia-Pacific, with some of the most advanced and state-of-the-art printing facilities that print The Straits Times and 16 other internal publications as well as foreign newspapers on contract. More than a hundred people are involved in every shift of the print centre's operation, seven days a week, 363 days a year. The plant shuts down only on Chinese New Year and Christmas Day. The 11 workers were told they would be let go on Jul 22 by SPH Media head of production Lim Swee Yeow. SPH Media deeply appreciates the contributions of the affected staff, said the spokeswoman. The company has informed the unions and NTUC of the layoffs, and is committed to supporting the workers during this period of transition 'through comprehensive severance packages aligned with tripartite guidelines, career coaching, job placement assistance, CV enhancement services, and emotional support through professional counselling', she added. In his e-mail, Chan also said SPH must continue with reviews of its various divisions as needed. These reviews are necessary to ensure operations remain fit for purpose given technological advances as well as changing customer preferences, he said. Not all such reviews will result in job redundancies, he added, and that the company's human resources department will explore all alternatives - including redeployment and retraining - before considering job cuts as a last resort. Chan also reiterated a point he made at an internal townhall in May that the reviews are not driven by major restructuring or cost-cutting. 'I am committed to building our strategy and business with all of you. This includes putting in place new directions, initiatives and investments to drive SPH forward,' he said. 'As we do so, we must continue to spend prudently and seek efficiencies where we can as part of our regular operations.' The organisation must navigate this tension well in order to succeed, he added. In November 2024, SPH Media laid off 34 technology workers across various teams and ranks, amid a structuring of the company's technology division. The affected workers made up about 10 per cent of employees in the division. More recently, SPH Media-owned Tech In Asia announced on Jul 1 that it will stop publishing its Indonesia edition from Jul 15, and will wind down operations in the country. The move, which affected 18 per cent of Tech in Asia's team, came amid an exercise to streamline operations and focus on its international edition. Tech In Asia was acquired by SPH Media in 2024. On Jul 22, SPH Media said it remained focused on strengthening its capabilities to serve audiences across both print and digital platforms, and on investing in sustainable and future-ready media operations. THE STRAITS TIMES
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
SPH Media lays off 11 workers with decommissioning of old printing presses
SPH Media chief executive officer Chan Yeng Kit announced the job cuts in an e-mail sent to staff on July 22. SINGAPORE - SPH Media will lay off 11 production workers, following the decommissioning of two of the company's 30-year-old printing presses which have reached the end of their operational lifespan. SPH Media chief executive officer Chan Yeng Kit announced the job cuts in an e-mail sent to staff on July 22. He said the cuts were the result of operational reviews taking place as the company progresses on its transformation journey, and not driven by major restructuring or cost-cutting. The affected workers, who were notified on July 22, include those operating two of the company's six printing presses and involved in distribution of its newspapers . The Colorliner printing presses, made by Manroland Goss Web Systems GmbH and in operation since 1996, are being decommissioned, with printing operations to be consolidated on the media company's four other Commander presses from Koenig & Bauer (KBA). The newer KBA presses, deployed in 2003, can print up to 56 broadsheet pages in colour and up to 72,000 copies of the paper per hour. This is more than what the older Colorliner presses were able to achieve at 40 pages in full colour and up to 72,000 copies per hour. An SPH Media spokeswoman, in response to queries from The Straits Times, said upgrades to the KBA machines have allowed the company to consolidate its daily printing operations onto the newer presses. 'These changes allow us to maintain quality printing operations and improve process efficiency. Regrettably, the changes have also resulted in redundancies across 11 job roles in SPH Media's production division,' she said. The spokeswoman added that the company had explored redeployment opportunities, but did not manage to find suitable placements for the affected workers. Mr Chan, in his internal e- mail , said the company's significant investment in refreshing the KBA presses over the past three years will ensure that SPH Media can maintain quality printing operations. 'Print continues to be an important format and channel through which we engage our audiences daily,' he said. He added that even as the company makes these changes, it remains committed to meeting the demand for print formats and will continue to find new and better ways to do so. SPH Media has said in the past that the introduction of the newer printers had substantially improved the capacity of its print centre, located in Jurong. The 11ha facility is one of largest printing plants in the Asia-Pacific, with some of the most advanced and state-of-the-art printing facilities that print The Straits Times and 16 other internal publications as well as foreign newspapers on contract. More than a hundred people are involved in every shift of the print centre's operation, seven days a week, 363 days a year. The plant shuts down only on Chinese New Year and Christmas Day. The 11 workers were told they would be let go on July 22 by SPH Media head of production Lim Swee Yeow. SPH Media deeply appreciates the contributions of the affected staff, said the spokeswoman. The company has informed the unions and NTUC of the layoffs, and is committed to supporting the workers during this period of transition 'through comprehensive severance packages aligned with tripartite guidelines, career coaching, job placement assistance, CV enhancement services, and emotional support through professional counselling', she added. In his e-mail, Mr Chan also said SPH must continue with reviews of its various divisions as needed. These reviews are necessary to ensure operations remain fit for purpose given technological advances as well as changing customer preferences, he said. Not all such reviews will result in job redundancies, he added, and that the company's human resources department will explore all alternatives - including redeployment and retraining - before considering job cuts as a last resort. Mr Chan also reiterated a point he made at an internal townhall in May that the reviews are not driven by major restructuring or cost-cutting. 'I am committed to building our strategy and business with all of you. This includes putting in place new directions, initiatives and investments to drive SPH forward,' he said. 'As we do so, we must continue to spend prudently and seek efficiencies where we can as part of our regular operations.' The organisation must navigate this tension well in order to succeed, he added. In November 2024, SPH Media laid off 34 technology workers across various teams and ranks, amid a structuring of the company's technology division. The affected workers made up about 10 per cent of employees in the division. More recently, SPH Media-owned Tech In Asia announced on July 1 that it will stop publishing its Indonesia edition from July 15, and will wind down operations in the country. The move, which affected 18 per cent of Tech in Asia's team, came amid an exercise to streamline operations and focus on its international edition. Tech In Asia was acquired by SPH Media in 2024. On July 22, SPH Media said it remained focused on strengthening its capabilities to serve audiences across both print and digital platforms, and on investing in sustainable and future-ready media operations.
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Delayed liquor licence approvals affect businesses in Sabah
David Chan KOTA KINABALU (July 22): The National Consumer Foundation Malaysia (YPNM) expresses serious concern over the prolonged delays in issuing liquor licences to traders and entertainment outlet operators in Kota Kinabalu and other parts of Sabah. These unnecessary bureaucratic holdups have disrupted business operations, strained financial resources, and risked the livelihoods of many small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners. 'We have received feedback from affected business owners who are unable to commence operations despite having met all application requirements. Many are facing continuous rental obligations and operational costs while waiting for licensing approvals that, in some cases, have taken several months. This situation not only jeopardizes the sustainability of their businesses but also undermines investor confidence and local economic recovery efforts post-pandemic,' said YPNM Sabah chairman David Chan. He urges the relevant licensing authorities to take establish a clear and transparent approval timeline for all liquor licence applications, implement an online tracking system to allow applicants to monitor the status of their submissions in real time, provide interim licences or temporary approvals for businesses whose applications have been delayed without valid explanation and allocate additional manpower or streamline internal procedures to address backlogs and improve processing efficiency. 'While we understand the need for responsible regulation of alcohol sales, licensing processes must not become tools of delay or administrative negligence. Regulatory efficiency is key to protecting consumer interests and promoting fair business practices,' added Chan in a statement on Tuesday. YPNM stands in solidarity with affected traders and calls on the State Government and relevant departments to uphold good governance by resolving this matter urgently and transparently.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mark Zuckerberg's wife Priscilla Chan reveals what AI researchers value more than big salaries
Priscilla Chan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg 's wife, recently revealed her secret recruiting pitch to lure top talent. Chan is co-founder of the nonprofit organisation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). Speaking on the Core Memory podcast hosted by Ashlee Vance, she said that while tech companies continue to offer massive compensation packages, CZI is focused on providing researchers with the tools they need instead. 'The other thing researchers really care about is access to GPUs. You're not going to make the most of someone if you don't actually have the GPUs for them to work from,' Priscilla Chan said. Her comments come as Meta's Superintelligence Labs keeps hiring top AI talent with eight-figure salaries and a goal of managing 1.3 million GPUs by the end of 2025. During the podcast, she revealed that the organization now has about 1,000 advanced GPUs and plans to add more so that scientists can pursue cutting-edge work—even if the nonprofit can't match tech industry salaries. Chan revealed that CZI has shifted its priorities to what she called a 'science-first philanthropy,' with major efforts focused on biomedical discovery. The nonprofit, she said, continues to build advanced infrastructure to support research, aiming to make scientific breakthroughs more accessible. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Swelling and internal bleeding in the brain, help this baby Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Chan emphasized that while they can't match Big Tech's paychecks, CZI hopes to offer the next best thing: top-tier computing power dedicated to science. 'Come work with us because we're going to have the computing power to support the research that you want to do,' Chan tells candidates. She added, 'Pay is obviously important, yet we cannot compete with tech companies on this.' Mark Zuckerberg on techies joining Meta for big salaries Recently, Mark Zuckerberg dismissed the idea that top AI researchers are joining Meta only for the massive paychecks, revealing that the major factor drawing towards them is the unmatched compute power autonomy. In an interview with The Information, Zuckerberg emphasised that the unparalleled compute power and the unique opportunity to build "superintelligence' are the reasons why AI researchers are joining the company. Recently, we witnessed an aggressive recruitment drive from Meta, with some reports citing offers in the hundreds of millions of dollars to poach AI talent from Apple, OpenAI and Google DeepMind. These figures and rapid hiring made by Meta fuelled speculation of an unprecedented talent war, where financial gains reign supreme. Google Pixel 10 Series Launch: Everything Coming on August 20 AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
